Articolo

Isner fights back to reach first grand slam semi

11 luglio 2018 21:51

John Isner came from a set down to claim a place in his first grand slam semi-final by beating Milos Raonic at Wimbledon.

With defending champion Roger Federer tumbling out in five sets to Kevin Anderson earlier on No.1 Court, both Isner and Raonic could afford to approach Wednesday's last-eight encounter with genuine hope of reaching the final.

Given the reputation both players have for big-serving displays, those in attendance could have been forgiven for anticipating another marathon affair.

In keeping with such expectations, there was not even a break point until the third set, when Isner struck as Raonic appeared to struggle with an injury having received strapping on his thigh towards the end of the first set.

Isner was ruthless in the key moments and did not waste his opportunities when they came to him in the fourth, wrapping up a 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (9-7) 6-4 6-3 victory in two hours and 42 minutes to set up a semi-final with Anderson.

The medical treatment Raonic received clearly did not hinder him in the opening-set tie-break, the 2016 finalist bringing up four set points and taking the last of those as he serve-volleyed and Isner fired into the net.

But Raonic was punished for his profligacy in the second tie-break. He failed to take advantage of a set point at 6-5 and, though Isner was guilty of letting slip an opportunity of his own, the American did not make the same mistake twice and levelled the match courtesy of an excellent return.

A similarly brilliant backhand return in the fifth game of the third handed Isner the break that proved enough to give him the lead in the match, and Raonic was looking increasingly hobbled by the time his opponent snatched the initiative at the same point in the fourth.

Raonic surrendered serve with a meek volley into the net and, though the Canadian survived more pressure two games later, he eventually succumbed to both Isner and his evident physical struggles, the ninth seed clinching progress to the last four with a fierce backhand pass down the line.